Sunday, February 27, 2011

My name is Kvothe. I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep. You may have heard of me... So begins the tale of a hero told from his own point of view—a story unequalled in fantasy literature.

REVIEW

There really isn’t much that needs to be said about Patrick Rothfuss and the first book in his New York Times bestselling series, The Name of the Wind. Anyone who is at all interested in books dealing with fantasy, magic, or amazing writing has heard the tale of this freshman writer who blew onto the publishing scene with such a ferocity that everyone stopped to take notice.

Of course, what everyone also knows is that it has taken four years for the next book in the series, The Wise Man’s Fear, to be released. Some lost interest in the series, others feared this day would never come, and reviewers feared it wouldn’t be able to keep up with the hype that has built up over the years.

But these fears turned out to be unnecessary. The Wise Man’s Fear is a fantastic book that is just as good, if not better than its sensational prequel. The story takes readers on journeys past the University we grew so accustomed to in The Name of The Wind. Instead, we are shown our first glimpse of the fey with Felurian, we see the roots of Kvothe the bloodless, we travel to the ends of the earth to learn the art of Lethani from the famed Ademre, and most importantly we see Kvothe learn the name of the wind.

Fans should rejoice for the day has finally arrived for this fantastic sequel to grace our hearts and minds. Yes, this day was long in the making, but it has more than paid off. As The Wise Man’s Fear is not only an incredible book, it is also one of the few books of any trilogy that is not merely a bridge between the first and last book, but is in its own right a fantastic book that all should read and cherish.

In a world where magic is real and the supernatural is almost normal, bodyguard Celia Graves has survived a vampire attack which made her a half-vampire and awakened her latent Siren abilities. She’s battled a Siren Queen to the death and twice faced down a demon that wants to kill her--slowly. She’s also had her heart broken--twice--by her old flame, magician Bruno DeLuca.

Perhaps the worst thing was the discovery that Celia’s life has been warped by a curse laid on her during childhood--the cause of everything from the death of her little sister to the murder of her best friend the same night that Celia became an Abomination.

An ancient rift between the demonic dimension and our own--sealed during the destruction of Atlantis--begins to open, threatening to loose all the demons of hell on humanity (including the one personally bent on destroying Celia). Celia’s hellish recent experiences have given her the unique combination of abilities needed to close the rift. But to overcome the curse, which nearly guarantees her failure, she’ll need to join forces with people she no longer trusts...and put people she has come to care about directly in harm’s way.

REVIEW

In the beginning notes of Demon Song, authors Cat Adams, inform readers that Demon Song shall mark a turning point in the life of protagonist Celia Graves. After readers this news I was unsure if this would mark the beginning of the end of a fantastic and invigorating series.

Luckily for readers, it turns out to be just to opposite.

Demon Song takes the seeds of the Song series and helps them blossom into an even better third book and series. The characters are well built and interesting, the plot fast moving and intricate, and the magic spectacular. Not only that but Celia encounters almost constant action in this sensational sequel, making readers unable to put down this engaging book.

This book should definitely be read after its predecessors, Blood Song and Siren Song, but as both of these books are captivating books that are sure to delight readers of all ages, it is no great hampering.

All in all readers will delight in Demon Song. It is full of action, adventure, and fun characters. Yes, the series is changed by some important deaths, but while these characters are taken from the story other characters blossom, becoming fuller and more important to the story. And while these new and fuller characters do not replacing these fallen comrades, they do help the book and series overall retain the fullness that these characters bring to Celia and the overall Song series.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy

SUMMARY

Thirteen-year-old Lamar Washington is the maddest, baddest, most spectacular bowler at Striker's Bowling Paradise. But while Lamar's a whiz at rolling strikes, he always strikes out with girls. And his brother, Xavier the Basketball Savior, is no help. Xavier earns trophy after trophy on the basketball court and soaks up Dad's attention, leaving no room for Lamar's problems.

Until bad boy Billy Jenks convinces Lamar that hustling at the alley will help him win his dream girl, plus earn him enough money to buy an expensive pro ball and impress celebrity bowler Bubba Sanders. But when Billy's scheme goes awry, Lamar ends up ruining his brother's shot at college and every relationship in his life. Can Lamar figure out how to mend his broken ties, no matter what the cost?

REVIEW

How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy is book that is clearly aimed at a single age group. This is not a book for young adults, nor adults looking for a great kids book. Instead this is a book that is aimed for older elementary school children and middle schoolers. What I mean by this is that some aspects of the book that I found annoying (some of the phrases Lamar and his friends use) I’m sure many of it’s intended audience will love.

The aspects of Lamar’s Bad Prank that impressed me most were the plot and the overall deeper issues it discusses. These issues include dealing with the death of a loved one (Lamar’s mother), revenge (on his brother), bowling for money/scamming others through bowling, and the issue that makes it’s way into almost all young adult/middle grade books, girls. Lamar deals with all of these issues, and while some of them seemed to be solved just a little too easily at the end of the book, it was an enjoyable book that I would have no trouble recommending for someone in it’s recommended age group.

Patrick Rothfuss is one of the premier authors of our age. The Name of the Wind came out in March 2007 and began to fly off the shelves from the very first day. It wasn’t long before Rothfuss and The Name of The Wind were named New York Times Bestsellers. Fans rushed to bookstores with an enthusiasm rarely seen in the publishing industry. Then when they finished the first book, they wanted more. They asked, pleaded, and even begged to get the next book in the series, but years went by with no sequel.

Now four years later Rothfuss is back again with the eagerly anticipated sequel to The Name of The Wind, The Wise Man’s Fear. This is a fan’s dream come true, but if you want even more from this fantastic author you came come meet him yourself on his US tour. For Texas fans, Rothfuss will be stopping by Houston’s Murder By The Book Bookstore on March 6, 2010. This is a great opportunity for fans and new readers alike, and everyone who can should take the chance to come by and see this master of words.

Patrick Rothfuss will sign and dicuss The Wise Man's Fear (DAW; $29.95), the second book in the Kingkiller Triology (after his highly acclaimed debut, The Name of the Wind).

In The Wise Man's Fear, Day Two of The Kingkiller Chronicle, Kvothe searches for answers, attempting to uncover the truth about the mysterious Amyr, the Chandrian, and the death of his parents. Along the way, Kvothe is put on trial by the legendary Adem mercenaries, forced to reclaim the honor of his family, and travels into the Fae realm. There he meets Felurian, the faerie woman no man can resist, and who no man has ever survived...until Kvothe. In The Wise Man's Fear, Kvothe takes his first steps on the path of the hero and learns how difficult life can be when a man becomes a legend in his own time.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Acher to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

REVIEW

When I picked up Hex Hall I wasn’t expecting much from it. It looked like another powers driven teenage love fest that was going to be poorly written and lack any appeal. But I had heard good things so I decided to give it a shot even though my expectations couldn’t have been lower.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Hex Hall was fantastic. It had engaging characters, was full of magic, had an interesting story, and was fun and engaging to read.

So when I got Demonglass, my expectations were the polar opposite from my initial expectations of Hex Hall. I expected this sequel to be exciting, action packed, have great characters, and help resolve some of the issues that were left in Hex Hall.

Of course Demonglass didn’t just meet my expectations, it blew them away. Hawkins has done a fantastic job with this series, but really what I was most impressed with were the characters. I’ve read hundreds of young adult books and I have to say pulling off endearing relatable characters is no easy feat. But Hawkins pulls it off with room to spare. Sophie is smart, but full of mistakes. She is just as likely to accidentally give information to the enemy as she is to forget to tell someone pertinent information that seems mundane at the time.

Of course besides well written characters, Demonglass is filled with exciting magic. Yes, at times there could have been more action, but it’s enough to keep the story going. And from the looks of the end of the book, the next book in the series is sure to be filled with tons of action, magic, and surprising twists that will captivate readers of all ages.

I loved Demonglass and I hope Hawkins comes out with the next book soon, because I can’t wait to see what happens next in this fantastic young adult series.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Every night Ellie is haunted by terrifying dreams of monstrous creatures that are hunting her, killing her.

Then come the memories.

When Ellie meets Will, she feels on the verge of remembering something just beyond her grasp. His attention is intense and romantic, and Ellie feels like her soul has known him for centuries. On her seventeenth birthday, on a dark street at midnight, Will awakens Ellie's power, and she knows that she can fight the creatures that stalk her in the grim darkness. Only Will holds the key to Ellie's memories, whole lifetimes of them, and when she looks at him, she can no longer pretend anything was just a dream.

Now she must hunt.

Ellie has power that no one can match, and her role is to hunt and kill the reapers that prey on human souls. But in order to survive the dangerous and ancient battle of the angels and the Fallen, she must also hunt for the secrets of her past lives and truths that may be too frightening to remember.

REVIEW

Fans may be surprised with what they get with Courtney Allison Moulton’s Angelfire. It is full of action, has a well written protagonist, and if the reader is open to it, will captivate their attention, making (at least in my mind) Angelfire a fun book to read.

Of course some readers may be expecting more romance, something completely ridiculous like having the characters fall in love after knowing each other a day (yes, I’ve read books with such a plotline, and yes other people have liked them for that.) But for me the romance that Moulton creates is much better for the story, the readers, and really the romance in general. Moulton allows the characters to get to know each other for a long period of time before anything happens. Not only that but the feelings they feel for each other are complicated and are not resolved neatly. Because of this and other factors Moulton has set Angelfire up to be a series that I for one will make sure to follow.

All in all I was surprised with how much I liked Angelfire. It was full of action, fast paced, and besides the father (who I felt wasn’t necessary to the story) had interesting characters that were endearing. Making this a good book for anyone interested ina young adult fantasy.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is

Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued.

She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.

Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed.

REVIEW

Darkness Becomes Her opens up in a world where New Orleans has been destroyed by a massive hurricane and then the remains sold to an illustrious group of families so that they might rebuild and run the city. Of course nothing is what it seems the families are really ancient lines of witches, vampires, and weres that have grown prosperous over the years and are looking for a place to call their own. Enter Ari a strange outcast that has never known her family but is searching for the barest of signs. The story soon unfolds that Ari is a creature that would feel welcome among the other outcasts of New 2 (the rebuild New Orleans), mayhem and love ensure and soon it is up to Ari to help defend the city against one of the worlds most feared foes it’s ever known.

I had mixed feelings for Darkness Becomes Her. I liked the introduction of mythical beings such as Harpies, Medusa, and even (and most especially) the Greek Gods into the world of other beings such as Vampires, Werewolves, and Witches. I felt this offered a new and entertaining world for readers who are tired of the boring vampire crush novel.

Of course that brings me to a point I very much disliked about the novel, the level of emotion attached to characters without backing it up with the evolution/growth of the characters is terrible in the book. I felt that Ari suddenly would do anything to protect certain creatures that she had literary met the day before. Not only that but I never felt like the majority of the characters were developed, nor were they very likable.

That said, I liked the magic, the world, and the set up for the next book in the series, which promises to be all what this first book is and more, as it seems likely to be filled with more magic, action, and vengeance. All in all while there were some definite draw backs to Darkness Becomes Her, I feel it’s not to late for Keaton to salvage the series.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

A funny, clear-eyed view of the realities of teenage love from National Book Award winner Pete Hautman.

Jen and Wes do not "meet cute." They do not fall in love at first sight. They do not swoon with scorching desire. They do not believe that they are instant soul mates destined to be together forever.

This is not that kind of love story.

Instead, they just hang around in each other's orbits...until eventually they collide. And even after that happens, they're still not sure where it will go. Especially when Jen starts to pity-date one of Wes's friends, and Wes makes some choices that he immediately regrets.

REVIEW

Many of the YA books that I’ve read, (whether they be paranormal romance or a more realistic setting) have been over the top in the love department. It’s almost always love at first sight, gushiness, a big fight about something ridiculous, the road to get back together, and we’ll always be together moment. While this can be fine for some books and even a nice break from reality, it can get a little tedious when it’s in as many books as it is.

That said, The Big Crunch is not one of these books. Instead The Big Crunch is a story told in alternating view points of June and Wes. They don’t fall in love at first sight, but rather stumble into their relationship. Not only that but their struggles are real, as June’s family moves and they have to deal with a long distance relationship. Then without giving to much away, The Big Crunch ends in a realistic ending that will leave the reader feeling both satisfied and happy they read this fantastic book.

Not only was the story a refreshing change from the normal love story formula, but Hautman captures the essence of this relationship, with both the struggles and the emotional rollercoaster ride, in a way that only Hautman can. Readers will love June and Wes and really sympathize with them as they face the same challenges millions of people deal with everyday.

All in all The Big Crunch is a well written breath of fresh air to a story arc that has lately exhausted readers with its unoriginality. Hautman does a fantastic job creating engaging and relatable characters, and I personally can’t wait for his next book whatever the subject.